Earring with threadedly adjustable means for gradual piercing of lobe

ABSTRACT

A self-piercing earring wherein a precious metal-piercing element is held stationary by a rigid mounting on one side of the earlobe while a cup is adjustably mounted on the rigid mounting on the other side of the earlobe. The cup is adjusted toward the piercing element by manipulating a screw-threaded element so that any desired penetrating pressure is produced to achieve complete penetration in a few days by daily increase of pressure.

ilnited States Patent 1 H 1 3,760,604

DiStefano Sept. 25, 197 3 [5 EARRING WITH THREADEDLY 2,869,338 1/1959 Norgaard et a1 63/12 ADJUSTABLE MEANS FOR GRADUAL 2,964,927 12/1960 Patterson 63/14 PIERCING OF LOBE Inventor: Vincent DiStefano, Johnston, R.l.

Assignee; Alice Jewelry Co., Providence, RI. Filed: July 18, 1972 Appl. No.: 272,742

U.S. Cl. 63/12, 63/14 E, 128/330 Int. Cl. A44c 7/00 Field of Search 63/12, l3, 14 R,

63/14 A, 14 B, 14 D, 14 E; 128/329, 330

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1955 Handerson 128/330 rfi .6 rill Primary Examiner-F. Barry Shay Att0rney-William R. Hulbert [57] ABSTRACT A self-piercing earring wherein a precious metalpiercing element is held stationary by a rigid mounting on one side of the earlobe while a cup is adjustably mounted on the rigid mounting on the other side of the earlobe. The cup is adjusted toward the piercing element by manipulating a screw-threaded element so that any desired penetrating pressure is produced to achieve complete penetration in a few days by daily increase of pressure.

1 Claim, 6 Drawing Figures FIG FIG 4 FIG 5 FIG 6 EARRING WITH TIIREADEDLY ADJUSTABLE MEANS FOR GRADUAL PIERCING OF LOBE This invention relates to self-piercing earrings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It has heretofore been proposed to provide a selfpiercing earring wherein a penetrating pointed element is spring-biased toward a ring or cup through an intervening earlobe. The penetrating force is constant and difficult to adjust.

SHORT STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a self-piercing earring comprising a rigid mounting which is shaped to have two portions which may be positioned one on each side of an earlobe. A precious metal ear-piercing element is rigidly held in one of the said portions and faces the earlobe. A threaded member is rigidly mounted on the other portion of the mounting and is threadedly engaged by a pin for motion toward and away from the piercing element. A recessed pressing element, such as a loop or a cup, is mounted on the pin with its recess facing the point of the piercing element. A knob is provided for rotating the pin to advance the recessed member toward the piercing element to controllably force the pressing element gradually through the earlobe, the recess of the pressing element being arranged to receive and accommodate the point of the piercing element when penetration has been completed. Thus, by turning the screw-threaded element the desired penetrating pressure is produced, and complete penetration of the earlobe will be achieved by taking about one turn a day for period of a few days. The wearer can regulate the penetrating force to suit her comfort during the process.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment In the drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is an elevation of the device;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, as indicated by lines 2--2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view as indicated by lines 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are enlarged detailed views showing the successive stages of installing the earring by selfpiercing of an earlobe.

The earring comprises a loop 10 of suitable rigid and ornamental material, open, as indicated to receive an earlobe 12. At one open end of the loop is mounted a precious metal, such as good quality gold, piercing element 14, which may be clamped into the open end of the loop as indicated at 16. On the opposite open end of the loop 10 is rigidly mounted a screw-threaded clamping device, including an internally threaded member 18 having a shank 20 which is rigidly clamped in the other open end of the loop 10 as indicated at 22. An externally screw-threaded pin 24 is rotatably received in the threaded member 18 and carries a cup or loop 26 on the end facing the earlobe and a knurled knob 28 on the outer end.

In order to pierce the earlobe, the user, after sterilizing the parts with alcohol or other disinfectant, positions the sharp point of the member 14 at the desired location on the earlobe, with the lobe between it and the cup 26. By rotating the knurled knob 28 the cup is tightened against the lobe, squeezing the flesh against the piercing member 14. By taking a turn or two every day the point is gradually forced through the lobe without undue pain. During the process the earlobe and pointed element should be cleaned with alcohol daily. The device of the invention does not depend on the force of springs to accomplish the result. The force exerted and the increasing increments thereof are at all times within the complete control of the user. The progressive piercing action is illustrated in FIGS. 4-6.

I claim:

1. A self-piercing earring comprising a rigid mounting shaped to have two portions which may be positioned one on each side of an earlobe,

a precious metal piercing element rigidly held on one of said portions and having a point in position for facing the earlobe,

a threaded member rigidly mounted on the other portion of said mounting,

a pin threadedly mounted on said threaded member for motion with respect thereto toward and away from said piercing element,

a recessed pressing element mounted on one end of said pin with its recess facing the point of said piercing element, and I a knob fixed to said pin for rotating said pin to advance said recessed member toward said piercing element to controllably force said piercing element gradually through the earlobe, the recess of said pressing element being arranged to accommodate the point of said piercing element when penetration has been completed. 

1. A self-piercing earring comprising a rigid mounting shaped to have two portions which may be positioned one on each side of an earlobe, a precious metal piercing element rigidly held on one of said portions and having a point in position for facing the earlobe, a threaded member rigidly mounted on the other portion of said mounting, a pin threadedly mounted on said threaded member for motion with respect thereto toward and away from said piercing element, a recessed pressing element mounted on one end of said pin with its recess facing the point of said piercing element, and a knob fixed to said pin for rotating said pin to advance said recessed member toward said piercing element to controllably force said piercing element gradually through the earlobe, the recess of said pressing element being arranged to accommodate the point of said piercing element when penetration has been completed. 